News

John McCain Named Grand Marshal

Arizona Senator to deliver engine fire command to Sprint Cup field

Arizona Senator John McCain will act as the Grand Marshal for the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, November 15.

The role will mark a return to Phoenix International Raceway for the Grand Canyon State's senior senator, who also appeared as Grand Marshal before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the track in April 2006.

"I'm thrilled to serve as the Grand Marshal for the NASCAR race on Sunday," said McCain.

A retired Navy captain, McCain entered the United States Senate in 1987 following four years as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Arizona's 1st Congressional District.

As Grand Marshal, McCain will appear on the pre-race ceremonies stage with Phoenix International Raceway president Bryan R. Sperber to welcome NASCAR fans, drivers, and teams to the Valley of the Sun for the Semi-Final Showdown in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Following driver introductions, McCain will deliver the familiar "Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!" command to the 43 starters in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series field.

Tickets to all events throughout the Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil weekend at Phoenix International Raceway are available at the newly-designed PhoenixRaceway.com or by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223). The PIR Ticket Office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 125 S. Avondale Blvd., just south of I-10 at Exit 131 in Avondale.

Related Topics

Related PIR News

Phoenix International Raceway will officially be renamed Jeff Gordon Raceway on Nov. 15, 2015 for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500, PIR President Bryan R. Sperber announced today. The race is the semifinal race for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and will be Gordon’s last Sprint Cup Series race at the track as a full-time competitor.

Phoenix International Raceway announced today that tickets for the semifinal race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500, will go on-sale Friday, May 29. Tickets start at just $25 and can be purchased by visiting PhoenixRaceway.com or by calling 866-408-RACE (7223).

Kevin Harvick did something Sunday that no driver had ever done in the 52-year history of Phoenix International Raceway. The 39-year-old from Bakersfield, Calif. scored a victory in his fourth consecutive race in the same professional series at the legendary one-mile oval in the Arizona desert, leading 224 of 312 laps to win the CampingWorld.com 500.

Ruben Pardo earned his first NASCAR Mexico Series win at Phoenix International Raceway in the Toyota 120 on Friday. After starting on the pole, Pardo fell as low as 12th but fought back to the front in the late stages.